Vertical and Urban Horticulture: Growing Horticultural Crops in Limited Spaces
Keywords:
Urban Horticulture, Rooftop Gardening,, Hydroponics, Soilless Cultivation, Sustainable HorticultureAbstract
Rapid urbanization and increasing pressure on farmland are creating challenges for fresh horticultural crop production. Rooftop gardens offer a practical way to utilize underused urban spaces for growing fresh crops. Urban horticulture offers an approach to grow vegetables, fruits, herbs and ornamental plants in limited spaces such as rooftops, balconies, terraces, walls and containers. Rooftop gardens, vertical structures, container gardening, hydroponics and other soilless systems can increase the use of urban spaces while contributing to greener and more resilient cities. Recent research highlights the potential of farming and controlled‑environment systems for improving land and water‑use efficiency although energy consumption, investment cost, technical complexity and maintenance remain important limitations. Urban horticulture can also contribute to food security, biodiversity, waste recycling, urban greening and community well‑being when appropriately integrated with city planning. This article discusses approaches for growing horticultural crops in limited urban spaces and highlights their importance, for sustainable food production and greener cities.References
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